The Children's Place: 'Giving families what they need'

Saturday

EASTHAM - A few months ago Cape Cod Children’s Place opened an addition to its building, and the expanded space has given the children and staff some much needed breathing room.

Executive Director Cindy Horgan says they were stuffed to the gills in their previous space. As with all big projects taken on by non-profits, this was an all-hands-on-deck undertaking.

“We just had our big fundraiser of the year at Truro Vineyards and raised $100,000, says Sarah Nitsch, marketing and events coordinator. “We’re so grateful to Kristen Roberts, co-owner of the vineyard, and Seamen’s Bank for investing in the community.”

Cape Cod Children's Place opened its doors in 1995, and has been serving families on the Lower Cape ever since. Right now it has 60 families who receive childcare, and/or who utilize other services offered.

The facility, at 10 Ballwic Road, North Eastham, provides care for children from infancy until kindergarten plus myriad other services to families from Dennis to Provincetown. Its goal is to be a solid center of support for families navigating an ever-changing world.

“There are so many things influencing and impacting families,” notes Horgan. “Addiction, poverty, technology - which can create emotional poverty. We came into this world of technology too quickly and need to learn boundaries. Children need a foundation in social and emotional development. No one parents to do it poorly, we do a lot of work with families to help them do it well.”

Horgan says Cape Cod Children’s Place right now has 35 children at its center in Eastham, and nine younger children at another site in Wellfleet. The staff has worked hard to not only provide childcare for working parents, but other vital services as well.

“The Lower and Outer Cape have been the stepchild of receiving services,” Horgan says. “All too often the services families need are in Hyannis, which can be challenging to families. What feeds my soul is that we’ve been able to bring services here.”

Horgan notes that among these services is on-site dental cleanings - not just for clients, but for anyone in the community. This is but the tip of the services iceberg for this non-profit.

Thanks to donations from private and business interests, Cape Cod Children’s Place is able to offer immigration services, programs from WE CAN and Helping Our Women, the Childcare Network, which provides subsidies for childcare, and more. Parenting classes, playgroups, help in finding mental health care, and workshops for families on various topics round out the offerings.

The nonprofit is in the process of working with the Orleans Courthouse to allow parents who have supervised visitation with their children to do that on site as well.

Horgan knows this is a challenging time to be raising children, especially on the Cape, where economics can be very tough for young families.

“It’s easy to blame the parent,” she says. “But look at what our culture is promoting. Family is about making a connection. We are giving families what they need so they can give their children what they need.”

She is quick to offer appreciation and gratitude to the town of Eastham, which has supported the group from the beginning.

“They gave us a $330,000 block grant,” she says. “This 1,300-square-foot addition cost $1.1 million, so the town has truly been a hero for us. There have been so many people, one single donor gave us $100,000.”

Other businesses that have assisted the Children’s Place include Seamen’s Bank, John Our and Dave Bennett, who generously donated significant septic and engineering services, and Scott Kerry. She is also grateful to the Family Pantry of Cape Cod and the Lower Cape Outreach Council for their ongoing help.

“Cape Cod Children’s Place is about strengthening communities,” says Elizabeth Aldred, director of advocacy and outreach, and a long-time member of the staff. “It is amazing to see that what we had envisioned early on is actually happening.”

For Nitsch, the marketing coordinator, there’s a family connection to the Children’s Place; her mother, Katie Macaulay, is the former director.

Nitsch grew up on the Cape but says: “ Until my mom started her work here, I didn’t realize how many families struggled to stay here and afford childcare and get the support they need. It’s really an amazing organization.”

To learn more about Cape Cod Children’s Place go to capecodchildrensplace.com